Coast Lines: March 22, 2014: CHP offers senior driving class

APTOS

CHP offers senior driving class

The California Highway Patrol will offer a traffic safety program for senior drivers March 29 to help tune up their driving skills.

The Age Well, Drive Smart program is a 2 1/2-hour class that covers rules of the road, age-related physical changes, alternatives to driving and the right time to limit or stop driving.

The free class will begin at 10 a.m. at the Aptos library, 7695 Soquel Drive. Space is limited, and participants can register by calling 831-662-0511.

Santa Cruz

Musical event for Joshua Alper

Joshua Alper, a UC Santa Cruz librarian who was killed after he was struck while riding his bicycle on Highway 1, will be remembered during a musical celebration Saturday at the Rio Theatre, 1205 Soquel Drive.

The event, which will begin at 7 p.m., is being put on by Alper's family and friends and will include bands to play in his memory.

Aptos

Cabrillo teachers to host forum

The Cabrillo College Federation of Teachers will host a forum titled "Income Inequality and Funding for Public Education" from 6-8 p.m. Monday at Cabrillo College's Building 5000, Room 5005 at 6500 Soquel Drive.

Aptos

Santa Cruz Warriors to host training event

Santa Cruz's own basketball team will host an open house Sunday at the Precision Wellness Center at Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Drive.

The event, from 4-6 p.m., will let attendees learn about the Warrior's training regimen and even try some exercises out.

The event also will feature prizes, including a three-month membership to Precision, a signed Stephen Curry bobblehead, a Santa Cruz Warriors fan pack and signed Golden State Warriors prints. Younger attendees will receive a door prize while supplies last.

Santa Cruz

Women's Crisis Support changes name

The Women's Crisis Support Defensa de Mujeres has changed its name to Monarch Services.

The name was changed to reflect what the agency, which is the only rape crisis center in the county, had become. Services now include working with men who are victims of domestic violence, and providing prevention programs to youth and farm workers in the county.

The name Monarch Services was conceived in part after the board of directors considered the namesake of the organization's confidential shelter, the Mariposa House, which means butterfly in Spanish. It also considered that the butterfly represented hope and renewal, important qualities for clients and staff members alike.

Monterey

santa cruz

Tax filers can help sea otters

Sea otter research benefits when taxpayers check the box to donate as little as $1 to the California Sea Otter Fund on their state income tax form.

The donation option has been on state tax forms for seven years, generating more than $2 million to help the threatened sea otter. To keep the fund alive, taxpayers must contribute a total of at least $277,666 in 2014.

Researchers estimate as many as 20,000 southern sea otters once called the California coastline home. Hunting cut their numbers to about 2,700 today.